Hoover Building: plans for 22-storey apartment block behind Art Deco landmark thrown out after furious campaign

Campaigners opposed to plans for an apartment block that they claimed would “desecrate” London’s best-known Art Deco landmark are celebrating after the proposal was thrown out.

Ealing council’s planning committee voted by nine to two to reject the application for the 22-storey development immediately behind the Grade II* Hoover Building on the A40 in Perivale.

Developers Amro sought consent for the “built to rent” block of around 250 flats on the site of a petrol station and part of a car park serving a Tesco store.

However, the scheme, known as The Wiltern, generated 521 objections and an online petition was signed by 2,685 people.

Critics included Rick Wakeman, keyboard player for prog rock group Yes, who was born in Perivale and described the proposal as an “eyesore” in a tweet.

The former Hoover factory’s main building opened in 1932 to a design by architects Wallis, Gilbert and Partners.

Its exotic detailing reflected an upsurge in interest in ancient Egypt at the time following the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter.

The building was sold in 1989 to Tesco, which built the supermarket behind it. Speakers at last week’s meeting at Ealing Town Hall included former deputy mayor and Perivale councillor Munir Ahmed.

One opponent, company director Cormac Gilmore, 60, said: “Nearly 90 years ago the board of Hoover left us with the legacy of this magnificent building and the board of Tesco are now custodians of it.

"We would urge them to come up with a building that is workable, sustainable and complementary to what is already there. We want them to come back and engage with us. It is a good opportunity for Tesco to show good governance.”

Amro said it had altered the project’s design “to avoid overlooking, overshadowing, and avoiding negative impact on the views from neighbouring buildings, in particular, the Hoover Building”.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We are grateful to the council for their consideration but are of course disappointed with the decision.”

An Ealing council spokeswoman said: “The planning application was refused on the grounds of the impact of height on the Hoover building.”